Texas Paddling Trails Offer Great Way To See Nature
Grab your paddle, hop aboard and get ready to explore the Texas Paddling Trails. Once you experience one of them, it will open up the entire state of Texas to you.

A growing network of family friendly four to 12 mile trails lies across the states inland and costal waterways to provide education and support.

We want people who have experience to find new places, but we want people who have no experience to feel comfortable and take a little of the mystery out, Shelly Plante, the Nature Tourism Manager for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says.    We want them to know where to rent equipment, know where to put in,  how long they will be on the water, and feel comfortable doing that with their kids, with their family, and with their friends.

The pros will tell you that a successful river trip is all about the preparation.

Joe Kendall, the founder of the Texas River School, finds that the trails are a valuable tool. 

We have been taking kids on the river for about 15 years and we go to the website and research what to expect on that section of the river we are going on, he says.

Directions, detailed maps with GPS coordinates, rental companies, flow rates even wildlife and fishing information take all the guess work out of it.  The best part however, is that with 15 major rivers and more than 3,300 miles of tidal shoreline, theres always a new adventure around every bend.

From the calm waters of Lady Bird Lake, to the clear rapids of the Upper Guadalupe, to the salt air and sandy shores of the Gulf Coast, each trail is supported by the local community providing a precious resource that benefits all.

Its a great thing that's already pre-packaged, it already exists and you get something you just cant put a price tag on, something a bit more meaningful than just opening a new restaurant, Plante says.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has declared paddling the July Outdoor Activity of the Month.

For more information on the Texas Paddling Trails and how to conduct a safe paddling trip visit  tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/paddlingtrails/.